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Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan

Alexia here with your serendipity fair fly!

Trust the journey: I don’t say that loosely or with triviality, I mean it sincerely. Despite all circumstances and challenges in life, you are always exactly where you are meant to be for whatever season, reason or chapter of your life’s journey. The people we meet every day and the places we find ourselves were already written. The same mysterious forces and guides are always there, creating moments when all our senses are heightened—tuned and tapped into sources and their energies—and we just “know.” Like how we just ‘know’ about a person, a place or a path. We know because it just feels so familiar and safe: that soft place to fall, the earmark you folded over in an old book. Everything comes full circle, serendipitous meetings and stories are the markers and maps of the stars. Invisible beacons there to remind us of our ancient roots and rhythms. Like animals (spirit) and pets that cross our paths -when we least expect it. We are all children of the stars, made from the remnants and dust of ancient suns. Every atom within us carries a piece of the universe. As journeymen and women, we continually collide with other stars, galaxies and worlds. When these connections are real and right, they magnetize and shine so big and bright, lighting the way for us to explore, discover and boldly go. Brutal hearts paired with beautiful souls, limitless and free to infinitely be. 

Here’s what’s happening:

The 2026 “Carnival Lights and Musical Nights” Providence Bay Fair is scheduled for August 21-23 and will be epic as always. Be sure to follow the Providence Bay Facebook page, visit providencebayfair.ca or see the centre-page spread in this week’s paper. Opening day is Friday August 21 and opening ceremonies are Friday evening inside the arena.

Important announcement: The fair is excited to announce that this year will feature both a tractor show (Saturday, after the parade) and an antique car show (happening Sunday). The fair is looking for participants and entries for both events! To register your vehicle please email [email protected].

If you have a decorated float, horse, wagon, ATV, classic car, truck or tractor, community group, business, family or just a creative idea- we want to see you in this year’s parade! 

Providence Bay Fair Parade kicks off from the Providence Bay Curling Club Saturday, August 22 at 11:30 am and proceeds North along Mutchmor St. and Hwy 551 ending at the Providence Bay Fairgrounds. 

The Providence Bay Agricultural Society is thrilled to present Kim Mitchell on Friday August 21 and the Road Hammers on Saturday, August 22 on the Lone Pine Stage.

Providence Bay Fair indoor arena stage presents The Islanders during opening ceremonies and local singer/ songwriter Cole Hughson Saturday at 2 pm, 4 pm and 7:30 pm and Sunday at 12 pm and 2 pm.

During fair weekend, Providence Bay Community of Christ Church will host a quilting demo and its annual back-to-school backpack community drive. Check the Community of Christ Facebook page and the events calendar on the Providence Bay -office bulletin board.

The Lions Club Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, August 22 from 8 am to 12 pm. Come for a delicious breakfast of champions and support your local Lions Club! Menu includes pancakes with a side choice of bacon or sausage, scrambled eggs, coffee and juice—with all the sides and fixings! Adults, $15; kids 6-12 years, $10. 

Central Manitoulin Senior Drop-In is every Thursday from 1-3 pm at the Providence Bay Hall—a welcoming space to enjoy games, coffee, conversation and community. Upcoming dates August 30, September 17 and October 15. For more information contact Alison at 705-377-5726 or by email at [email protected]

Exercise classes continue at the Providence Bay Hall on Fridays from 9am to 10 am. 

Manitoulin Pickleball Club has booked every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 pm for organized play at the outdoor courts behind the Mindemoya ballfields (weather permitting). For information contact George Ballantyne 705-677-4732.

Knowledge Sharing Sessions continue at the Providence Bay Hall and Mindemoya Hall. Check the Municipality of Central Manitoulin webpage and Facebook page for updates and events. 

Manitoulin Yoga classes continue Tuesdays and Wednesdays until August 25 & Wednesday, August 26. Registration is required to attend. For more information or to register, please email Alison at [email protected]. All skill levels are welcome.

Craft Workshops continue at the Mindemoya Pioneer Museum! Register now by [email protected] or by calling 705 377-4383 The Museum is located at 2207 Hwy 551 in Mindemoya. 

Providence Bay Beach and Discovery Centre is an amazing 2 km sand beach on the Lake Huron coast that is open to the public. Play safe and enjoy the beautiful beaches, boardwalk and epic sunrises, moonrises and sunsets. Be sure to stop into the Discovery Centre to learn about Manitoulin Islands incredible heritage, history, natural resources, flora, fauna and incredible wildlife. 

Sunset Music Series: The music series features great musicians and artists who take to the stage right beside the Boardwalk and Discovery Centre every weekend through July, August and early September from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Bring your blankets and chairs! This is not a ticketed event. Support your local musicians by donating side of the stage show. Note: If the show gets rained out, it is always pushed to the next show day. Location: Providence Bay Beach beside the Huron Island Time. Parking and washrooms are on site. This Friday, August 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm come listen to Christine Graves. Saturday August 22 it’s Ball and Chain from 6:30-8:30 pm and Sunday, August 23, the Providence Bay Beach drum circle takes place from 2-5 pm. 

The Providence Bay Lions Club bottle-drive continues next to the arena. This program is open to the public and we encourage everyone to drop off their used bottles and cans-your empties help fund great local initiatives. Check the Lions social media pages for updates, local fundraisers and awesome events. The next incredible initiative is the Providence Bay Lions 4th annual golf tournament fundraiser on August 29 at Manitoulin Golf  for the Providence Bay Annie McNichol Playground betterments and improvements! Contact Lion Chris Bryan at 705-348-0493 for sponsorship and team registration details. 

Back to School Season is almost here and for many families across Manitoulin Island, that means new expenses at a tough time of year. Manitoulin Family Resources is always accepting donations such as hygiene products, backpacks, notebooks, pens and pencils, lunch bags, and other essentials! Call the Food Bank /Food Hub at 705 368-3400 ext. 242 or stop by during their operating hours: Tuesday and Friday from 10 am-2 pm and Wednesdays from 4-8 pm. They are closed weekends and holidays. 

Be sure to check out the 4-H Drill Team at 5:30 pm on Friday, August 21 and on Sunday, August 23 is the epic Western Show at 10:30 am, the Trick Rider performance at 2 pm and the NEW “English” show at 3 pm, all at the upcoming 2026 Providence Bay Fair! 

The Heavens: August 27-28, Partial Lunar Eclipse; August 28, Full Moon (aka Sturgeon, Green Corn and Grain Moon).

Happy Birthday to all of you late-August babies! Happy nuptials if you’re getting hitched- Happy Summertime celebrations to all! 

Welcome friends, neighbours and visitors, old and new. Please please please for the love of all the beautiful creatures and people who call this place home, pick up and dispose of your refuse and recycling properly and carefully—we have to take care of this beautiful land and legacy! Hello and welcome to Manitoulin Island my friends Gage and Hannah, Season and Gina and family and welcome back to Providence Bay Christian! Happy birthday wishes to miss Maddy. 

Happy making summer memories to all! Enjoy your ‘Toulin Time and I hope to see you all at the Providence Bay Fair!!

Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer

One of the things we at Team Fergmeijer like most about travelling is all the interesting people-watching you can do and all the interesting conversations you hear on the plane or train. Just last week we were on the ferry heading to Tobermory and these two older women were chatting very animatedly. At one point we heard them say, “I think those two weirdos are eavesdropping.” 

Free Mindful Movement is back at the Kagawong Park Centre this month! From 10-11 am August 19 (today!) and 26, join Candice Irwin of Body Stories Dance for a free workshop helping participants connect with their bodies through guided movement sequences, improvisation activities and gentle stretching. All are welcome! No registration required. For more information, contact [email protected] or 705-968-0173. 

The Old Mill Heritage Centre swept the series last week with two sold out presentations of Hockey Day/Night in Kagawong! It was the audience members who scored big with a hat-trick-plus-one of panellists, facilitated by the one and only Steve Paikin. But wait - the game is going into overtime with an online auction of hockey memorabilia and other items. Check out “Auctions by the Old Mill Heritage Centre in Kagawong” on Facebook for more information and to bid on these “Holy Mackinaw”-worthy items!

Kagawong hosts the largest market on the island each Wednesday throughout the summer. Pop down to browse the incredible vendors from 10 am-3 pm at the Kagawong Park Centre (and pickledome, and cabanas, and pop-up tents). While you’re in town, stop in to the many fantastic businesses throughout the village as well!

Happy 29th birthday to Mike Z, Dawn R, and Dane T. Consider this your regular reminder that birthdays are the universe’s way of encouraging us to eat more cake. Don’t let the universe down!

The township is looking to hire a public works operator to assist in the maintenance of municipal roads, building and facilities, as well as public spaces within Billings Township. Visit www.billingstwp.ca/townhall/careers/ to learn more. The posting will remain open until the position is filled. 

Next Wednesday! The Billings Township fire department is celebrating 50 years of service! On August 26, stop by the fire hall anytime between 10 am and 2 pm to help celebrate. There will be a special re-dedication ceremony at 1pm. All are welcome!

Yoga continues at the Kagawong Park Centre Mondays at 9 am, brought to you by the Seniors’ Active Living program. And coming this fall, there will be an eight-week strength class starting Tuesday, September 8. Text or call Mary at 705-348-2285 for more information.

Last time we travelled, the airline lost our luggage, so we sued them. Unfortunately, we lost the case. Have a great week!

Friday night at cards High lady was Myra Duncanson with 84 points, which meant that she won the money jar. High man was Doug Carter with 80 points. Most lone hands for the ladies went to Elaine Bradley with two and for the men Natasha McVey with four. Most euchres went to Sara Lynn Arnot with 10. Irene Kelly won the 50/50 draw, Brenda Carter won the Door Prize and Lois Wismer brought home the juice. We always have a great time, thanks to everyone who came out. 

Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley

Sunday morning the church was almost full, and it was a very nice service with coffee and muffins afterwards.

Peggy Morrison is back with many blueberries which she has distributed throughout the community, with plans for a blueberry social next Sunday night.

We’re getting new visitors at our marina and campground each day. Every evening, we drive by to see the beautiful sail and motor boats.

Have a great week everyone!

Silver Water
Karen Noble

Friday night we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay.

There was a vendor market in our yard on Saturday morning. We met some of Bob Trick’s family when they came to shop. We also had a good visit with the ladies who were staying at Cullen Fay’s cottage. 

On Sunday afternoon Myra Duncanson and I went to the Tehkummah euchre tournament. We took a carload of books to the library with us. Anyone who wants to donate books to the Tehkummah library, please take them directly, or get them to me in time to take them the first Sunday of May 2027.

Gladys and Murray Duncanson had a visit from their nephew Darren Coburn and his wife on Sunday. Craig Duncanson visited his parents for a few days and worked on stove wood. Craig and Murray attended the hockey exhibition in Kagawong on Thursday afternoon.

I took Myra and Ken Duncanson with me to euchre at the Burpee and Mills Complex on Monday night. There were 10 full tables of players. 

Fire practice was held at the fire hall on Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday evening the Cemetery Board held its annual meeting at the hall at 7:30 pm. The same people all agreed to be the board for another year. 

Thursday morning, Sara-Lyn Arnot came to help me make some cinnamon buns. We figured out quickly that my yeast was too old, and the project did not work out. We had a good visit and once I get some fresh yeast, I will be all set.

There was a fire call on Thursday afternoon, but the team was not needed at the site of the transport’s accident, so they did not stay long.

There was euchre at the Silver Water Community Hall on Thursday evening.

Condolences to the family of Sandra Skippen.

Condolences to the family of William Lloyd.

Barrie Island
Enid Runnalls

Good morning from Barrie Island. August has been a beautiful month here with many sunny days and just enough rain to keep things going.

It’s kind of hard to get caught up after a couple of weeks on holiday but I will give you the briefest report of what has transpired.

Fiona and Ben Perry and their two little boys Griffin and Rowan spent a few weeks here at the Miller Family cottage. Moya Jeff Rothwell and their two little girls Lucy and Olivia returned for an extended weekend at the beginning of August and celebrated big Brother Jordan Miller’s 40th birthday with a barbecue festivity! Special guests were brought in from out of town: Barb Runnalls, Bruce and Anne Miller and Bridget. The whole Runnalls/Miller clan enjoyed a beautiful afternoon of boat rides, swimming, and visiting, and the rain fortuitously held off to drench and cool the dancers when Moya’s curated Spotify playlist brought everyone onto the Deck D-floor for their favourite tune’s era! 

‘Tour de Barrie Island’ Bike Ride organizers Allison and Robert Godwin along with Dennis and Ethel Jeffkins were quite pleased with the turnout of bikers and hikers for their annual event. Following a day of energetic and athletic enthusiasm the group met for a potluck supper at the Barrie Island Hall. A new t-shirt design has been issued and will be available again next year. They had riders from Sudbury, Barrie Island, and as far away as Fernie, BC and are looking forward to the larger community participating next year!

The Campbell Horticultural Association held a very successful flower show and tea at the Burpee and Mills complex. Sandy, Enid and Carolyn were pleased to receive some awards for their lettuce, beets, hollyhocks and ferns, rudbeckia and arrangements. Micah Runnalls won second prize for his floral arrangement entry, ‘Flower Friends’. Carrie Lewis (the clerk for Gordon/Barrie Island) won the ‘Presidents Choice’ for her floral arrangement as well as many other prizes! 

Last Weekend was a busy one and there was almost too much to do if you wanted to do it all! The Rotary Club of Gore Bay hosted the annual Bay-to-Bay bike ride fundraiser. Bikers were seen all along the road and especially at the Barrie Island Causeway where they stopped to refresh with snacks and drinks. Also on the West End was the Arts in the Maples festival in Evansville on the property of Gail Andrews. The musicians played all weekend and delicious food was available, as well as a meandering display of the works of artist and wellness practitioners. 

Speaking of the West End, if you have a chance to travel that way, Enid would highly recommend a hike at the beautiful Misery Bay Provincial Park where you can prearrange a tour with Friends of Misery Bay Park staff Rory or Cameron. They are very knowledgeable hike leaders and will share their knowledge of fossils, flowers and the geology of the area. 

Another wonderful place to visit is Meldrum Bay. Enid found herself there the other day and had a delightful time at the Harbour Centre where she was welcomed by Harbour Master, Colin Frame and his staff Abe. At the Meldrum Bay store she found nibblies for an impromptu picnic at the shore. Her next stop was the historic Net Shed Museum where she was given a fascinating tour of the antiquated treasures and marine artifacts by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable young curator, Theo Buckley. She also met up with Ivan and Joan (Grant) Purvis of Sault Ste Marie, who were touring the museum and delighted in discovering many items of family heritage.

A memorial service was held for Joe Marylees this past week. Along with family and friends, there were contingents from the Gore Bay Firefighters and the Royal Canadian Legion. 

Condolences to the family and friends on the passing of Doug Smith. He will be missed by so many across this Island.